Are you familiar with the expression “use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without”? First coined during the Great Depression, this slogan continued to resonate with thrifty Americans during World War II, and has experienced something of a comeback in recent years. As we see the earth’s resources being squandered, many of us are trying to make as light an environmental footprint as possible.
This can be difficult to achieve, especially during the holidays when conspicuous consumption surrounds us. Between Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday — not to mention the super sales, extended holiday hours, and “doorbusters” that are advertised seemingly nonstop for a month or more — there is more pressure than ever to spend money.
Is it possible to celebrate the holiday season without much money, and without becoming a total Scrooge? Yes! This year, why not challenge yourself to make most, if not all, of the gifts you give? To help you out, we’ve compiled this list of DIY upcycled presents that you can make from t shirts.
While there may be a few items that you’ll have to purchase, giving handmade gifts is still much less expensive than loading up at the local mall, doorbuster or no doorbuster. These gifts are fun to make and a fantastic craft to do with your kids. They are also sure to be appreciated by your friends and family members.
A Soft and Stylish T-Shirt Rag Rug
The resourceful pioneer women and farmers’ wives of yesteryear would laugh — or be horrified — at the fact that modern stores sometimes charge hundreds of dollars for a traditional oval-shaped rag rug. These have traditionally been the last stop for old clothing and fabric that no longer can serve any other purpose; hence the name rag rug! Of course, you might not be in the habit of saving every scrap of fabric, so it’s OK to cheat a little bit by picking up an armful of t-shirts at the thrift store. Or, if you want to make sure that the colors of your rug are harmonious, purchase Gildan t shirts to use for this craft.
There are two main ways to upcycle old t-shirts into a rug. Both involve cutting the shirts into strips. For a shag-style rug, cut those strips into small pieces and either glue or knot them onto a non-slip rug pad. For a braided rag rag, you will need to turn the t-shirts into yarn, then braid the strips together. You will then sew the braided length of t-shirt material into a classic oval shape.
Stylish No-Sew Tote Bag or Farmer’s Market Bag
Who doesn’t need another tote bag? No one, that’s who. This DIY gift is perfect for that friend who loves to visit the farmer’s market every Saturday, or for the teen who always seems to have an armful of books, markers, and makeup.
The best shirts to use for this upcycled gift project are those with cool designs on them. Alternatively, you could use a plain shirt and embellish it yourself. Depending on how stocked up your craft room is, use fabric paint, glitter glue, appliques, or even plain old fabric markers and a stencil. You can even freehand it if you’re super crafty.
As with the rugs, there are several ways to turn an old tee into a brand new bag, but the simplest method involves cutting the bottom hem of the shirt into short fringes, then tying the fringed pieces together. Turn inside out for a cleaner, more polished look, or leave the knotted fringe on the outside for a funkier style. You can cut and then re-tie the shoulders of the shirt for handles, or use an additional shirt to make t shirt yarn that you then braid into a strap.
Fun and Practical Placemats or Potholders
Did you ever have one of those potholder loom kits as a kid? Remember how the loops of fabric that were included were basically the same as t-shirt material? See where we’re going with these questions?
Yep, you can make a DIY version of the loom itself, then create gorgeous upcycled placemats, potholders, table runners, coasters, or even thin rugs. All you need for the loom is cardboard and some string or yarn. Mark the cardboard at evenly spaced intervals — an inch or so apart works well — and make two-inch slits along these markings. The slits should be at the top and bottom of the cardboard. You’ll use them to anchor your yarn or string, which should cover the cardboard vertically; the t-shirt strips get woven through them horizontally.
Once you have reached the desired width of your placemat or other item, tie the ends of both the t-shirt yarn and the vertical yarn or string in pairs. Trim if necessary. Voila — you have a beautiful new mat ready for gifting!
Closing Thoughts
A warning: crafting with t shirts and other upcyclable items can be addictive! You may soon discover that you don’t have nearly enough old t-shirts to repurpose — or enough friends and family members to give your gifts to! If you want to branch out from rugs, placemats and tote bags, however, check out this super cute DIY dreamcatcher tutorial.
Happy holidays, and happy crafting!
I would have never thought about making a Farmer’s Market bag but that is a great idea. Thanks!